This beautiful poem is being presented on the internet as “A translation of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’, directly from the Aramaic into English – rather than from Aramaic to Greek to Latin to English”, but please read on after the poem for the truth.
O Cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration!
Soften the ground of our being
and carve us a space within us
where Your Presence can abide.
Fill us with Your creativity
so that we may be empowered
to bear the fruit of Your mission
Let each of our actions bear fruit
in accordance with our desire.
Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share
what each being needs to grow and flourish.
Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us,
As we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.
Do not let us be seduced by that which would divert us from our true Purpose,
But illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.
For You are the ground and the fruitful vision,
the birth-power and fulfillment,
as all is gathered and made whole once again.
This poem has taken over the search engines on the internet as being “the best Aramaic translation of ‘The Lord’s Prayer'”, and it’s author, Neil Douglas-Klotz, is being touted as an “inspirational translation genius”.
It is essential to know that, although this is a nice poem/prayer, it is only remotely related to the original Aramaic of the Bible by “nuances”.
(Matthew 6:9-13).
It is, in reality, a radical new translation which re-interprets the Original Scriptures from the vantage of Middle Eastern mysticism, revealing Christ as a mystical, feminist, cosmic Christ.
I have no issue with whether it is useful, comforting or inspirational. My concern is the claim that it is a valid, legitimate “translation” – which it is definitely NOT, and it should not continue to be promoted as such.
This poem could be circulated on its own merits, and it would have much more credibility (if not the widespread circulation) if it were truthfully and honestly presented for what it is – a poem, based very loosely on “The Lord’s Prayer”.
It is NOT a translation from the Aramaic or from any other language!
As Christians, we have a responsibility to be honest in all things, but especially with regard to the Holy Scriptures.
As gay Christians, we are often accused of distorting Scripture to suit our “agenda”. We, of all people, then need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to the accuracy of Bible translations.
The Lord’s Prayer In The Ancient Aramaic Language
Aramaic
Abwoon d’bashmaya
Netqaddash shmak
Teete malkutah
Nehvwey tzevyannach aykanna d’bashmaya aph b’arha
Havlan lahma d’sunqananan yaomana
Washbwoqlan haubvayn aykana daph hnan shbvoqan l’hayyabayn
Wela tahlan le’ynesyuna. Ela patzan min bisha
Metul dilakhe malkuta wahayla wateshbuhta l’ahlam almin
Amen
Contemporary English Version
Our Father in heaven,
help us to honor your name.
Come and set up your kingdom,
so that everyone on earth will obey you,
as you are obeyed in heaven.
Give us our food for today.
Forgive us for doing wrong,
as we forgive others.
Keep us from being tempted
and protect us from evil.
Today, there are millions of Aramaic speaking people. They speak Modern Aramaic, not Ancient Aramaic. Ancient Aramaic is the Ashurit language of Nineveh at the time of Eashoa Msheekha.
This is the language of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. It has gone through thousands of years of evolution. The Ancient Aramaic language of the Scriptures is no longer a spoken language, and the last time it was used as a literary language was in 1300 AD.
In order for the people of the world to start learning about the Scriptures’ truth, everyone must come to understand that the Bibles being disseminated today are mostly translated from the English language versions or they are conformed to the Protestant and Catholic Bibles from various languages.
This translation is the only one that has been made from the Ancient Aramaic Scriptures without prejudice, taken from Ancient Aramaic Bible Translation.
Therefore, this is how you shall pray:
Our heavenly Father, hallowed is your name.
Your Kingdom is come. Your will is done,
As in heaven so also on earth.
Give us the bread for our daily need.
And leave us serene, just as we also allowed others serenity.
And do not pass us through trial, except separate us from the evil one.
For yours is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, To the end of the universe, of all the universes.
Amen!
Note from Mary: “The Lord’s Prayer In The Ancient Aramaic Language”, is taken from Bible Translation Project Documentary Filmmaking, Archeological History, Communication. Used with permission. Unfortunately the site no longer exists.
Note 2 from Mary: I wrote this article on Sept 9, 2005.
Update Sept 5, 2012 – Correction from the author:
Mark Hathaway Tao of Liberation has written to tell me that he is the author (with only one or two of the lines authored by Neil Douglas-Klotz), and says, “Neither I nor Neil Douglas-Klotz have circulated this as a translation – it is others who have done this. Here is what my website says:
These six possible “renderings” of the Aramaic Lord’s Prayer are based on the work of Saadi Neil Douglas-Klotz (see “Prayers of the Cosmos” and Abwoon Resource Center). They are not literal translations, but rather something between a poetic translation and “midrash” based on the ancient roots of the Aramaic words of the prayer.